County Championship: Cook guides Essex past big-spending Notts – as it happened

Essex won their first championship game of the season, beating big-spenders Nottinghamshire by eight wickets on a capricious Chelmsford pitch.

Set 105 to win after Simon Harmer had taken two early-morning wickets to add to the previous night’s haul (finishing with six for 60 plus a snaffled catch), Essex got off to a bad start. With only one run in his pocket, an over-eager Nick Browne failed to make his ground after being sent back by Alastair Cook. But one for one was as good as it got for Nottinghamshire as Cook and Tom Westley tickled the runs away. Nottinghamshire have now played 10 successive championship matches without a win; their coach, Peter Moores, was keen to “move on quickly”.

A thriller was developing at Taunton after Somerset edged an 18 run first-innings lead over Surrey thanks to 129 not out from Lewis Gregory. Surrey stuttered in reply, with Rory Burns’ clothes-peg innings of 78 ending just before the close. Surrey – 152 for five – lead by 134.

Gary Ballance knocked out 159 – his third hundred in as many games – as Yorkshire made the most of a heavily rollered Canterbury pitch. Kent’s unlikely chase of 384 tumbled into a damp ditch as Ben Coad whipped out danger man Zak Crawley and Kent finished on 34 for three.

Dom Sibley had an up and down day as Hampshire turned the screw against Warwickshire. Sibley carried his bat for 109 in the first innings – his sixth first-class century in as many matches – but was out for three in the second as Warwickshire chased an implausible 424 to win. In between, Hampshire sped to 302 for five declared.

In Division Two it was a glorious day for Glamorgan who, asked to follow on, finished at 359 for one – a lead of 146 over Gloucestershire. Nick Selman made a career-best 148 not out, and Marnus Labuschagne, who knocked two sixes into the football ground, 128 not out.

Lancashire were a sneeze – and 16 runs – away from victory after taking the extra half-hour at Old Trafford. Northamptonshire stumbled to 200 all out thanks to five for 50 from Richard Gleeson, his first championship ten-wicket haul. Earlier Lancashire made 415, with a career best 68 from Tom Bailey and 97 from Dane Vilas – the fifth Lancashire batsman to be out in the 90s this season.

Worcestershire want only 81 to win at New Road after bowling Durham out for 197, Josh Tongue collected five for 37.

And at Lord’s, Leicestershire were 38-0 chasing 305 to win after earlier bowling Middlesex out for 223 – a surprise recovery from 114 for eight thanks to an unbeaten 59 from John Simpson. There were three wickets apiece for the tireless Tom Taylor and Chris Wright.

It’s been all go here at Old Trafford, with Lancashire only a quick scratch from victory over Northants - thanks to five wickets from Richard Gleeson and a couple each from Livingstone and Bailey. Elsewhere, Glamorgan have gone all Dallas (359/1) and Warwickshire, Kent and Durham are in deep trouble.

Worth keeping half an eye on Lord’s in the morning, but set the webcam for Taunton - should be a cracker. That’s it from me, thanks as always, à demain.

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I’d better pause to write up, but keep an eye on things at Taunton and Newport for me.

Patterson goes for a duck, b Clayton, but Yorkshire -417/8 - have built up a stonking lead of 331 on Kent.

Surrey safely gathering up their skirts at Taunton, Foakes and Burns keeping Leach hungry -84/3 lead of 66.

The Bears’ chase doesn’t start well. Dom Sibley gone for 3, that man Abbott again. Warwicks 3-1, needing another 421 to win.

Simpson and Helm taking the game away from Leicester at Lord’s. Partnership of 71 for the 9th wicket. Middx lead now 266.

Burnham gone for 26, three for Josh Tongue and Durham 133/6 lead Worcestershire by 16.

And Hampshire have declared! At 302/5: Rossouw 76, Donald 16 not out (1 six). Warwickshire need a handy 424 to win. Dom Sibley dreaming of joining Tyldesley & Bradman in the pantheon.

My computer has entered one of its geriatric phases so I can’t actually watch this - but here is Leach’s wicket:

At Taunton, Dean Elgar won’t bat today because of illness and just clocked that before tea Jack Leach bowled Ryan Patel for 12. Surrey 49/3. Rubbing hands together vigorously.

Different session, same outcome. Bavuma edges the first ball after tea through to Vilas off Bailey and Northants are 87-4, still trailing by 98. Bavuma looks most out of sorts about the decision.

TEA-TIME SCORES

Division One

Essex v Nottinghamshire: Essex 241 (Browne 67; Fletcher 5-50) and 105/2 (Westley 49, Cook 40 not out); Nottinghamshire 187 (Porter 4-75) and 158 (Harmer 6-60, Porter 3-41) ESSEX WIN BY 8 WICKETS.

Warwickshire v Hampshire: Hampshire 354 (Alsop 140, Donald 75; Patel 6-94, Hannon-Dalby 4-69) and 225-3 (Soames 62, Rossouw 54 not out); Warwickshire 233 (Sibley 109 not out; Abbot 4-50)

Somerset v Surrey: Surrey 380 (Burns 107, Elgar 103, Clarke 59 not out; Gregory 3-52; Leach 3-85) and 49-3 ; Somerset 398(Azhar 60, Hildreth 90,Gregory 129 not out; McKerr 3-94, Clarke 3-74)

Kent v Yorkshire: Yorkshire 210 (Milnes 3-63) and 370-5 (Ballance 159, Leaning 69); Kent 296 all out (Crawley 81, Robinson 103; Coad 3-66, Olivier 3-82)

Essex v Nottinghamshire: Essex 241 (Browne 67; Fletcher 5-50) and 18-1; Nottinghamshire 187 (Porter 4-75) and 158 (Harmer 6-60, Porter 3-41) Essex need 87 to win.

Division Two

Worcestershire v Durham: Durham 273 (Burnham 76, Bancroft 70; Morris 6-53; Leach 3-59) and 110-5 (Tongue 2-17); Worcestershire 390 (Dell 61, Wessels 118, Whitely 72; Salisbury 4-67)

Middlesex v Leicestershire: Middlesex 349 (Gubbins 75; Abbas 4-72) and 166-8 (Tom Taylor 3-56, Chris Wright 3-29) ; Leicestershire 268 (Ackermann 63; Rayner 4-58)

Lancashire v Northants: Northants 230 (Luke Wood 66; Gleeson 5-63, Onions 4-45) and 87-3 ; Lancashire 415 (Jennings 97; Jones 67, Vilas 97; BAiley 68; Luke Wood 5-72 )

Glamorgan v Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire 463 (Bracey 152, Roderick 88, Higgins 103 de Lange 4-116); Glamorgan 250-9 (Hemphrey 60, Wagg 50; Drissell 4-83) and 195-1 (Selman 83 not out)

It is tea at Newport so I can safely say nice work to Nick Selman (83 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (43 not out) for steering the good ship Glamorgan to calmer waters. 195/1, trailing Gloucestershire by just 9.

Thanks to Dave Karaoke for alerting me to this super stumping of Gareth Harte by Ben Cox. Durham fans, look away now (you’re 105 for 4 btw, trailing by 12)

Hampshire top-order cameos looking like they’ll be more than enough at Edgbaston - 209 for 3, a lead of 331 over Warwickshire.

Another Northants batsman bites the dust: Procter edges Onions to Jennings at slip for 15 - Northants 54/3.

And Gary Ballance 153 not out at Canterbury, time for a photo of England’s discarded.

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Wakely examines the toe of his bat after picking out Haseeb Hameed at cover off Richard Gleeson’s first over. Northants 54/2, trail by 131.

Essex have won by eight wickets - Cook 40 not out, Westley 49. Notts have now played three, won 0, lost 2. Big-spenders looking in their pockets for spare change.

Tom Taylor in the wickets again at Lord’s - 3-34 as Middlesex, how can I put this politely? - anyway, they’re 114/8.

And Surrey lose another, this is turning most interesting at Taunton. Surrey 24/2, Borthwick lbw Craig Overton for 15.

In other news, Essex are nearly there - 13 to win, 8 wickets in hand. At Taunton, Somerset got a lead of 8, Stoneman already out in Surrey’s second innings, 19/1. And here at OT, Vasconcelos gives Stephen Croft easy catching practise, out for 22. Northants 34/1.

Just spent a lovely twenty minutes sitting in the sun watching Bailey and Mahmood bowl from side-on while listening to a monologue on Manchester buses and David Cameron’s triple lock. The odd tram joined in rumbling agreement.

So: Saqib Mahmood looks a very well put together bowler, two arms, two legs, both well-screwed into their correct joints, working in unison over a smooth, accelerating 13-step approach to the crease. Lovely to watch. How fast? Honestly, I struggle with estimates (asks desperately, “can I blame my astigmatism” ).Not 90s, but enough to have Vasconcelos prodding about. Bailey, by contrast, is a high-kneed, shaggy blond-haired effort bowler.

Lancashire 415 all out. Gleeson lbw Keogh for 0, Mahmood high and dry on 27. Luke Wood 5-72. Time for a very quick stretch of the legs.

Lancashire’s innings death-rattles away -Graham Onins gone for 8, 414-9. More than enough in the bank.

Gary Naylor is at Lord’s where, he says, the boundary on the Grandstand side has been brought in 30 yards “ but still afforded an all-run four for Sam Robson. With the pitch so far to the Tavern side, were they using the ground’s fullest dimensions, they might get seven to Third Man.”

He also nominates this for catch of the season.

Courtesy of Andrew Sampson:

Centuries in most consecutive first-class matches: 10 WH Ponsford 7 GE Tyldesley & DG Bradman 6 CB Fry, DG Bradman, SG Barnes, DCS Compton, NJ Contractor, RB Simpson, MJ Procter, DC Boon, BC Lara, JH Kallis & DP Sibley.

Hundred data-glitch - no such variable.

Glamorgan sail past 100 with all wickets intact!

Durham lose their first wicket after lunch - Alex Lees lbw for 2. And as I type the BBC updates, Ceefax style, Cameron Steel bowled Leach for 17. Durham, 20/2, still trail Worcestershire by 97 and enter a dead-end race with Notts for first defeat of the round.

Vilas, Vilas, tips the ball back to Wood and is easily caught- the second 97 of the match and the fifth Lancashire batsman to be out in the nineties this season. Lancs 400/8.

A Lewis Gregory century! Well played -121 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes, he’s taken Somerset within 19 of Surrey’s total. I give you, man hugs.

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LUNCH-TIME SCORES

Division One

Warwickshire v Hampshire: Hampshire 354 (Alsop 140, Donald 75; Patel 6-94, Hannon-Dalby 4-69) and 50-0; Warwickshire 233 (Sibley 109 not out; Abbot 4-50)

Somerset v Surrey: Surrey 380 (Burns 107, Elgar 103, Clarke 59 not out; Gregory 3-52; Leach 3-85); Somerset 353-7 (Azhar 60, Hildreth 90,Gregory 96 not out; McKerr 3-94)

Kent v Yorkshire: Yorkshire 210 (Milnes 3-63) and 261-3 (Ballance 103 not out); Kent 296 all out (Crawley 81, Robinson 103; Coad 3-66, Olivier 3-82)

Essex v Nottinghamshire: Essex 241 (Browne 67; Fletcher 5-50) and 18-1; Nottinghamshire 187 (Porter 4-75) and 158 (Harmer 6-60, Porter 3-41) Essex need 87 to win.

Division Two

Worcestershire v Durham: Durham 273 (Burnham 76, Bancroft 70; Morris 6-53; Leach 3-59) and 14-0; Worcestershire 390 (Dell 61, Wessels 118, Whitely 72; Salisbury 4-67)

Middlesex v Leicestershire: Middlesex 349 (Gubbins 75; Abbas 4-72) and 73-3 ; Leicestershire 268 (Ackermann 63; Rayner 4-58)

Lancashire v Northants: Northants 230 all out (Luke Wood 66; Gleeson 5-63, Onions 4-45); Lancashire 387-7(Jennings 97; Jones 67, Vilas 86 not out)

Glamorgan v Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire 463 (Bracey 152, Roderick 88, Higgins 103 de Lange 4-116); Glamorgan 250-9 (Hemphrey 60, Wagg 50; Drissell 4-83) and 80-0 (Selman 45)

That’s lunch , Dane Vilas 86, Lancashire 387-7 and well on top. Scores on the door to follow.

Not strictly cricket, but this just popped up on twitter. And thanks to AIEx BTL for writing beautifully about Bob Hawke who died peacefully at home last night, aged 89. RIP Bob, hope you’ve picked up your bat at the great cricket ground in the sky.

Here’s the Guardian piece

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/16/bob-hawke-former-australian-prime-minister-dies-age-89

And at Newport, Glamorgan are flying. Nick Selman and Charlie Hemphrey showing that yesterday’s collapse was just blossom in the wind. 63/0.

Gregory passes his highest first-class score at Taunton, 78 not out, Somerset just 45 runs behind. And Middlesex 57 -3 in their second innings - Holden, Robson and Lace already unfolding their napkins for the Lord’s lunch. Tom Taylor 2-22.

Essex, read the briefing. Do not go for silly runs when chasing small totals. Essex 5/1, Browne run out 1.

Thee Yorkies grind away, Gary Ballance on 88, Jack Leaning on 32. A lead over Kent of 144 with 7 wickets remaining.

And Dom Sibley left high at dry at Edgbaston, Warwickshire 233 all out - a deficit of 101. And Notts all out for 158 - Stuart Broad the last man to go, bowled Porter for 9. Harmer 6-60, Porter 3-41.

Essex need 104 to win.

Oooooh, Somerset creeping, creeping towards Surrey’s total, now just 62 behind. Lewis Gregory 65 not out.

At Chelmsford, Moores has been stumped off Harmer, Fletcher caught by Harmer, and Notts have a lead of 103 with one wicket left.

And Bailey plays down the wrong line, bang, farewell off stump. Eleven fours in his 68.

Lancashire batsmen without a care in the world here at OT, current partnership of 122 between Vilas (50) and Bailey whose 68 is a career best. Overton, sadly, has been unthreatening this morning. Lancs 331-6, a lead of 101 over Northants.

What does Simon Harmer eat for breakfast? Grannottinghamola. Nash gone for 32, Harmer 5-46, Notts 124/7.

And, thanks for the info BTL, Dom Sibley’s century was his sixth in successive matches (one for MCC, five for Warwicks). The last man to score five in succession for Warwicks? Brian Lara.

Succour for Glamorgan fans:

A lunchtime read:

Actually, that’s the end of Glamorgan’s innings, with Chris Cooke retired hurt. A deficit of errr, 213 runs.

Leicestershire also all out for 268, trailing Middlesex by 81.

And that’s a fourth first-class fifty for Tom Bailey here at Old Trafford and another, ANOTHER, hundred for “Im your one and only DOMinator” Sibley at Edgbaston. After his wonderful September 2018, could he be creeping into international contention?

Stand up, get a drink, come back, four wickets have fallen:

Brookes for 12 at Edgbaston _ Dom Sibley still there on 99!!!

Davies, damn, for 58 at Taunton, a second for Batty.

Whitely for 72 at New Road and...

Wagg for 50 at Newport. Oh Glamorgan.

Virat Kohli and pimple wash:

Also, I learnt yesterday that there were 450,000!!! ticket requests for June’s India v Pakistan World Cup game at Old Trafford - the most over-subscribed sports event in the UK since the 2012 Olympics.

When does Taunton turn to Ciderabad? July?

This looks like a good read from Melinda Farrell on Eoin Morgan

May - can you beat it? Jasmine, peonies, swallows, swifts, asparagus and cricket full of hopes and good intentions.

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The sun is beating down here in Manchester and, by the looks of it, all round the country. I’m feeling very smug as the final load of bed sheets are on the line, but not as smug as Essex who had Notts in deep dudgeon last night. Can’t see them getting out of this one. A huge pat on the bat for Simon Harmer, who first made invaluable runs at No.8 alongside Peter Siddle and then, as Notts lost six for 16 runs in 11 overs, took 4 for 3 in 21 balls

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Warwickshire, Leicester and Glamorgan are also in a spot of bother but there are intriguing battles at Taunton and Canterbury and games on a knife edge at Old Trafford and New Road.

Oh and this final link is for Selv, Middlesex president this year